Community and police department enjoy National Night Out

Saturday

Aug 18, 2012 at 12:02 AM

JESSICAH PETERS

The Hardeeville Police Department hosted around 450 people at a National Night Out event.

The event included hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, drinks and snow cones. With music, a water slide ride and bouncy house for all to enjoy, it was a night to celebrate the awareness of keeping Hardeeville safe.

National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.

Last year 15,325 communities from all 50 states and 37.1 million people participated in National Night Out. In Hardeeville, this program has evolved into a successful event with likeness of a festival where the community and police department gather to support one another.

"I'd like to give my compliments to Chief Richard Nagy and his staff who did a splendid job in this outreach celebration to our community," City Manager Bob Nanni said. "The National Night Out event involves the younger people and their parents to have a dialogue with the police department in a friendly and casual basis. Next year we hope to make it even better."

The police department gave away 200 NNO T-Shirts and hand fans. The night was decorated with NNO glow necklaces, tattoos, and balloons for the children of Hardeeville. Two mountain bicycles from Target were raffled off along with backpacks filled with school supplies also donated by Target. Hardeeville residents Linda and Dexter donated five packages filled with school supplies.

"I'd have to say this year was the best we've had," Police Chief Richard Nagy said. "The school supplies were definitely a hit among the young crowd since school starts next week, Another great part of the night was the photo booth that allowed people to capture a couple shots and fun poses with the National Night Out logo stamped on the bottom."

The photo booth was a fun part of the night where participants took home a snapshot souvenir of the event. The people of Hardeeville have built a better relationship with the police department over the past years, said Nanni and Nagy.